Automobile body construction



4 r. L. BANCROFT. AUTOMOBILE BODY CONSTRUCTION;

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9, 1920. 1327 594. Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

r I I g i Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

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JAMES L. BAn'onorrr, or oLEvELAnnonro, iissfenon T0 Fri-in onro son? a BLOWER ooMPANn-or CLEVELAND, onto, a ooaronarron or 05210.,

AUTOMOBILE BODY, Cea e-seems.

A lication filed June 9,

To oil to from it may concern.

Beit known that I, JAMES L. BANOROFT, a citizen of the'United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement Body Construction, of which the following is a full clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings. I

This invention relates to improvements in automobile body construction.

I leretofore it has been the practice to finish the top edges of the doors and the corresponding edges of the sides and cowl and other similar parts of automobile bodies by fianging the corresponding edge portions of the plates or panels which constitute the covering of the body over the adjacent edges of the frames. This has required much. skill and consumed much time, and in places where the contour of the body presented compound curves, the work was exceedingly difficult and the results often unsatisfactory. Pursuing this method, the lining panels were applied to the inner sides of the frame with their edges adjacent the flanged over edges of the outer plates and tape or hinder was secured along the edges of the liner panels to produce a finished effect.

Now it is the fundamental object of my invention to eliminate these operations and thereby greatly expedite manufacture, release skilled labor for other duties and mate rially cheapen production by providing a molding of channel formation for finishing the top edges of the doors, sides, etc, which is designed to fit over the edge of the frame and embrace the adjaccntedges of the inner and outer plates or panels with'the following advantages: It strengthens the construction; improves its appearance; makes practically unnecessary the use of additional holding meansfor the top edges of the inner and outer panels; or in case the use of additional holding means, such as tacks or screws, is deemed advisable, it concealssuch means and any deformation or puckering of the panels resulting therefrom; and it makes possible a very neat joint between the door and jamb by allowing the molding to be applied in a continuous piece to the edges of these parts and then cut accurately on the line of division between the door and jamb;

in Automobile 1920,; Serial no. 387,545.

and, in case the top edges of the door an'd trated in the drawing will suiiice to impart to those skilled in the art a clear understanding of the invention.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an automobile incorporatmg my improved body construction; Fig. 2 is a detail showing the construction, the View being taken in the region of the joint between the door and jamb; Fig. 3 is a" section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the molding. 7

In the present instance, the top edges of the cowl, door, side and seat back of the auto mobile shown in Fig. 1 are finished with a molding A. In Figs. 2 and 3, the door frame is designated 1, and it has plates or panels 2 and 3 applied to its outer and inner If desired, additional holding means 5,

may be employed for securing the top edges of the panels to the frame, and this would be preferable in cases where the inner panel is of leather or other flexible finishing material. In case such holding means are employed, the side flanges of the holding conceal them and any deformation of the panels resulting from their use.

In Fig. 2 I have shown the frame of the door sagged slightly below the framel of the side. The piece of molding that is ap plied to the door is raised to the plane of that mounted on the side by ashim 8 that is inserted between the web of the panel and the top of the frame. The molding may be held in place by screws 10 passing through holes in its web and threaded into the frame; and in the present instance one of these screws is shown as holding the shim 8 in place. 1 i

The molding is preferably made of ductile or pliant material so thatit may be bent readiiy to conform to the shape of the frame.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is:

1:111 automobile body construction, the combination of a frame, a panel applied to the side of the frame, means for securing the panel to the frame anda, molding en gaged over the edge of the frame and having a flange overlying the adjacent edge portion of the panel and concealing said securing means., i

2. In auto body construction, the combi nation; of a frame, panels applied to opposite JAMES L. BANGROFT. 

